Ministerial Conference of the Council of Europe Addresses Migration and Human Rights

On 10 December, an informal Ministerial Conference was held at the Council of Europe to discuss issues related to migration in the context of the European Convention on Human Rights. The conference was organised at the initiative of the Council of Europe's Secretary General, Alain Berset, and brought together ministers and representatives from across the organisation's 46 member states.

The discussions focused on how the European Convention on Human Rights applies to contemporary challenges linked to migration, including irregular migration and the situation of foreign nationals convicted of serious criminal offences. Participants reaffirmed the obligation of member states to ensure the effective enjoyment of the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Convention to everyone within their jurisdiction, while also taking into account governments' responsibility to ensure national security and public safety.

As an outcome of the conference, ministers invited the Committee of Ministers to prepare a draft political declaration reaffirming these principles. They also reiterated their support for the development of a new recommendation aimed at preventing and combating the smuggling of migrants, with full respect for human rights.

In parallel, a joint statement was made by 27 like-minded states calling for an interpretation and application of the ECHR that finds a right balance between migrants' individual rights and interests and the weighty public interests of defending freedom and security in European societies. Both the conclusions and the joint statement were supported by the European Commission, represented by Ambassador Kos on behalf of Commissioner Brunner.